2007 October

Scottish & Newcastle has started arbitration proceedings against Carlsberg, saying the Danish brewer’s attempt to take it over breached terms the pair had agreed in their joint venture Baltic Beverages Holdings, which owns Baltika.

Enotria has been appointed exclusive agent for New Zealand wine range Trinity Hill in the UK. Enotria has been distributing Trinity Hill Wines in the on-trade for six years, previously through the Laurent-Perrier. Enotria will work closely with Laurent-Perrier and co-founders of Trinity Hill, Robyn and Robert Wilson during the handover process, and will begin as sole importer from 1st January 2007.

Californian winery Fetzer Vineyards has won an award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the steps it has taken to help reduce global warming. Fetzer was one of 10 winners in the “Organisation, Association or Team” category, and was honoured for banning the use of ozone-depleting methyl bromide in vineyard operations. It phased out the chemical in favour of more eco-friendly methods during the 1990s, and now focuses on a tightly-run pest management programme, improved field sanitation, resistant root stocks, cover crops and compost.

Councillors have given the green light to a £40 million distillery at Roseisle in Moray. Set between Elgin and Forres, it will be Scotland's first new mainland distillery in 30 years and could create 25 jobs. Diageo is building the development as part of a £100 million expansion of its operations in a bid to help meet anticipated long-term demand for whisky in growing international markets, the company said.